I'll answer based on the limited word I've been hearing lately.
1) There is large speculation that Verizon will not carry another Nexus device due to the disagreements between them and Google. Add in the fact that Verizon prefers to load up phones with their services and trials and it doesn't surprise me that this is the case. After all, the Galaxy Nexus was Verizon's first "Pure Android" device since the OG Droid. There is also the problem of the Galaxy Nexus not selling well on Verizon, in large part due to them keeping it at the $299 price point in an attempt to push people towards other phones long after their other "top tier" devices had dropped in price (which is why I don't have one).
2) Our best guess is that Google is really pushing for more of their cloud based services when it comes to media consumption, document access, etc. The problem here then ties into the new Shared Data Plans that both Verizon and AT&T have released. Honestly, I could probably pull of 16gb on Sprint of T-Mobile. It would not be a fun experience though, and personally, I lament the fact that Google is moving in the direction of a small storage capacity.
At the end of the day...No removable battery and no expansion slot means this device is a no go for me, regardless of any great online price it may be.