I read it as live but not public. You're reading tech blogs, their main beef is to get news as soon as possible.

Live means that it's publicly available as a finished product, doesn't it? Private beta is not "live". That's like saying a stage show has opened when they're doing a dress rehearsal.

It's like saying the show is on, it's live, there's a reception for VIPs then there the general admission are allowed in.