[basch]

Technology means "the application of knowledge." A lever isnt tech per say by itself, its a tool. But knowing how to use a lever, and applying leverage to create force is technology.

A better word to use is tools. Microsoft and Apple both sell tools but Apple tools are a fashionable consumer tool sold at retail, and Microsoft are business tools sold to enterprise.

Google and Facebook give away free tools in exchange for attention.

Netflix more correctly fits your example, they dont create public tools used to accomplish something else, their tools are built internally. Same with Uber.

[meddlepal]

That's a very reductionist view. Nor do I think where you draw the lines makes any sense if you go down that path?

Netflix? Tool for easier to content delivery. Uber? Transportation tool.

Everything is a tool if you reduce it far enough.

[basch]

You cant buy our rent Uber or Netflix for your own use. You can lease Outlook and buy an iPhone. With Outlook and your iPhone you can talk to your best friends (not just talk to Microsoft and Apple.) Microsoft and Apples tools are a means to an end.

With Netflix I cant buy their tool and use it to host video for my friends. I cant buy or lease Uber tech to start my own taxi network.