My bad, looks like this is the case. TFA linked to [1] which seemed to only indicate that VZW wasn't allowing it as a default app. But [2] and elsewhere indicated VZW had also asked Google to not allow the app on Verizon devices.

[1] http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/Verizon-Were-Blocking-Goo...

[2] http://www.droid-life.com/2012/12/10/verizon-responds-to-fcc...