What an awkward phase.
I for one hope for a decent cross-platform browser API that lets me access mobile phone functions (database / GPS / camera) in js and just be done with all this drama.
That's very subjective. It's apparent that thousands of developers feel that what they get in return is worth the price. If they don't like the price of goods and services, they can choose not to buy them. They are not on the whole being deprived of anything that is owed to them. It's accepted as "normal" because it's the way commerce works everywhere, and because these are very established practices in fields other than desktop software.
They should be paying developers
They are! Why do you think developers are choosing to develop for these platforms? Where do you think the other 70% goes?
If Apple had a app store for a next generation AppleTV, it would be a very interesting platform.
Maybe a modular, generic box to include in the manufacturing process, with built-in wireless or ethernet plug, ability to update firmware via the net, and a central app store and paywall.
Alternatively, just build it as a STB with a fairly killer feature out of the box, loss-lead on getting them out there, and control the app sales. The 360 is probably the closest thing to it, but it's large and expensive compared to what would gain greater market penetration.