well, not having an external source link simply means this is the source. Whether or not you believe it or not is a separate issue.

disclaimer: I wrote the article, and I believe it likely to be true, but can't verify it for certain, unless the Apple VPs or guy who-got-iPad steps forward.

I suspect it's true. It's certainly Apple's style. But of course there is no proof.

Think about it: if Apple put out a press release saying "we're awesome because we sent this guy a free iPad 2", everyone would (rightly) think it was crass.

What (allegedly) happened here is far classier.