Even if you talk to somebody testing the new client, you wouldn't get any information.
That's the purpose of a closed alpha. For now, you should be satisfied with the statement that there is progress being made.
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They are testing for a while now. The thing is there is something called NDA in the industry. They can't really talk about it. But this dude (https://twitter.com/syoxTS) posts the version numbers.
Alpha 254 so far
As stated above, it's still in the closed alpha, which is almost every day having an increase in the version number.
Just because they are overdue to their original statement, this doesn't mean, they ain't doing shit. It's not that they can say: "Oh we need 20 more days of 8hrs work, then we got it", software development doesn't work that way.
Or do you want a half-baked cake for your birthday, just cause mommy promised you one for that day? I rather prefer the finished and tasteful cake, whenever it's ready then. But of course I can understand the nagging moaning for the time being.
No but if mommy already is in the process of baking the damn cake and realizes that it needs some more time she will say:
It is nearly finished, just wait a little more.
I would then come to the conclusion that it wont take momma ?half a year? without a good excuse to finish the damn cake.
Short version:
reasonable delay.