It's a grabby headline, but after reading it, it came across as an attempt to create a new business meme, rather than compelling arguments. All these companies make money through very different means, not just software. Most of them are valuable because they've monopolized sizeable chunk of consumer space through combination of good planning, products, designs, marketing, and a little bit of luck.

Also, there are other wildly profitable companies in other sectors that have been around for decades.