I think it is mostly a supply/demand issue. Most of their models are sold out, so they are trying to raise prices so that only those who really, really want/need one gets one. I think that they simply just mispriced the product initially. Soon enough there will probably be more competition that will help drive down the price.
Surely someone can build a more privacy-friendly decentralized solution?
It doesn't take much for Tin Can to start charging $50 / month for a subscription.