If they're actually planning on specific improvements of the Linux distro, I might be willing to pay extra for it... But, yeah, it does seem like they're at the very least not doing anything at all to prevent confusion over what this is about.

Things move fast in China, when we started planning this project the cost was based on a bulk order. In the 6 weeks or so since the retail prices have come much closer the wholesale price. This is typical of Chinese goods once they are available long enough.

So the order quantity is not as important now but we still need the bulk to provide enough funds for the software work.

You're addressing the wrong issue: The price is not the problem. The extremely misleading page is.

And with regard to price: I bought one of the tablets you list from Amazon in the UK for less than your stated price many months ago. A single one, via a UK reseller.