The idea behind this rumor is that free or very cheap apps have been more successful than their pricier counterparts in the App Store, and that a "premium" section could result in meatier profits for developers. Further, this is supposed to tie in with all that ballyhoo about the iPhone being the next great gaming system, as these new rich man's apps are rumored to be mostly games.
But there's just not much point to an entirely new section of the App Store for premium apps. There are already some bank-breakers, and it doesn't make any sense for Apple to emphasize the pricier and likely less popular apps. The people want cheap apps!
We're sure there'll be a wider variety in app price in the years to come, but at the moment, we can't think of a reason for a separate section based on price. Plus, no developer would confirm such a thing, so until we hear anything hard, this rumor will stay a rumor. [Wired]