On the new Invite Friends opportunity, does the friend still have to wait to be invited when there is another intake?

[NiamhR]

I can't talk about the 26 days thing, but the three friends I invited today are now members. They get the invite straight away.

[Moo]

I was wondering about that too...

Also on the front page now...
26 days until the dawn of a new era.
Enter your email address to get early access:

Does this mean everyone who has given their email already has already been invited?
If it's opening officially in 26 days, but you can get access earlier by putting your email in, what is the difference between this "early access" and not-so-early access?