It's already released, it's called testnet. Beta is far different than alpha.
Can we please distinguish the UI from the Backend (blockchain)
The reason that the GUI doesn't fit everyone's needs is not good enough to not release the backend in time ..
We could run the blockchain .. let exchanges integrate with it and tag the UI "experimental" .. and we can do this by next week .. that's more than people around ethereum have running!
That would be the best way to handle it.
The GUI is not ready and it's easy for everyone to see - as of now it does not offer a full replacement of the previous GUI and even if the devs can somehow manage to finish it this week, it will not be thoroughly tested.
UX was meant to be our priority in 2.0 but the GUI has not been tested in a way that even remotely resembles the accuracy of the blockchain's tests.
As for the 2.0 blockchain itself, BM is in the best position to make that judgement so if he says we are good I'd trust him.
Therefore it's a good idea to release the blockchain on Oct 13th but give the GUI a couple of days to settle before announcing it publicly.
Apart from the UX aspect, the GUI is important as it handles the user's private keys.
If it does something stupid or unintended by the user (e.g. placing an order with a wrong price) it will hurt us badly.