Really? So what's a publishing deal (distribution, some marketing, storefront, updating, &c) that has a better split then that?

I can guarantee you you won't find one for video games, at least.

Also, Android market has the same split. So does Palm's, Nokia's, and WinMob. Blackberry is 80/20.

"publishing deal" is a warm and fuzzy way to say "monopoly".

Developers should be able to sell their software for a platform without being forced into using one specific distribution channel. The App Store is Microsoft's wet dream, even they have never managed to invoke Big Brother so completely.

Clearly, you haven't heard of the XBox where the split is 60/40.

And I should note that's the split going to Microsoft and the publisher, not Microsoft and the developer. The studio is almost certainly not even getting 50% of that 60%, the way most such things work.