So I was signed up to test-drive the upcoming https://tuple.app/ screenhero "spiritual successor"<p>And I just got an email:<p>---<p>We have several big things to share, so let's get right to it!<p>1. Tuple is launching publicly in August.
Since our private beta launched in January, our customers have done 4,000+ calls, our average call quality rating has reached a 4.5 out of 5, and a steady stream of positive testimonials have rolled in (like this one, and this other one, and a third).<p><snip to keep short><p>That said...<p>2. You're invited to sign up now.<p>Since you were cool enough to join our email list, we don't want you to have to wait two months.<p>If you'd like to try Tuple with your team, you can do so today.<p>(Quick caveat: the app is macOS-only. We'll very likely going to offer a Linux client eventually, but haven't started work on that.)<p>If you'd like to use Tuple on your team at work, we charge $100 for a 1-month pilot, during which you can try the app with your entire team (unlimited seats). After the month is up, we charge $25/month/person for folks who want to keep using the app.<p>If you're a freelancer who wants to pair with clients, we also offer a freelancer plan. You can pair with as many clients as you like for $300/year. However, your clients can pair only with you, not each other.<p><snip marketing talk><p>→ If I've piqued your interest and you'd like to give Tuple a shot, just reply with your work email and I'll send you our secret payment link.<p>---<p>So are they trying to get people to pay THEM and at the same time beta test it, before they go public?<p>Should I feel privileged for paying to beta test their product?<p>Am i reading this the wrong way, or there are more people that this rubs them the wrong way?<p>PS: After I emailed them (a rather snarky email about this) they replied that they are not on beta and the money they ask is because: "I'm asking you to pay for software that provides value."