This absolutely is a marketing move. I think the information is accurate though. I think this is Apple's way of releasing information of the device without actually doing any official press releases. Hearing the info in this manner is much more exciting and adds to the the mystery and the allure of the phone.
I am sure there are some people on this board who were on the fence about buying the phone but have decided to get it after reading this post.
I myself read this and now feel better about the durability of the phone and the performance of the EDGE. So this "leak" served its purpose.
Apple, if you read this - can you have a "hooligan" break into your offices and "steal" an iPhone and post pictures of it here on MR?