This was kind of an awkward read.

The description of Lightning network made it seem that as if to pay anyone you needed an LN channel open directly to that party.

The article mentions that Brave browser users can pay some BAT to skip ads. Sometimes I use Brave browser but I've no idea of what that might be referring.

The gaming use case does not address whatsoever the play-to-earn (P2E) category, such as those from THNDR games which use LN for payouts to the players.

Then the author says the use cases mentioned are "experimental". No, every one of them is available today from a for-profit endeavor.