And yet Macs can't even work properly with USB 3 hubs, devices that shouldn't even need drivers, software or firmware updates, etc.
The primary problem with USB 3 hubs is that the test suite for USB 3.0 hub certification has only recently been resolved by USB-IF. The spec defines a suite of tests that hubs and connected devices must pass in order to get certified.
You will notice on the USB-IF website that there aren't many retail USB 3.0 hubs that are certified.
Many manufactuers released hubs into the market without certification, as that is not a requirement. To affix the SuperSpeed logo, certification must be secured first. Most USB 3.0 products are not certified.
Visit the usb.org website for a directory of products that are actually certified.
As for drivers and firmware, you are only partially correct:
- computer OS must have drivers that properly implement the USB spec; for USB 3.0, this means some sort of XHCI driver
- USB hardware chips may or may not be upgradeable with firmware that correct deficiencies. Not all hardware may be fixable by firmware updates. Sometimes an actual hardware design change is necessary
- while a chip supplier may have firmware updates to fix things, not all manufacturers who manufacture devices using these chips may actually supply firmware updates to correct issues
Why look for devices that are USB-IF certified?
The products must have passed electrical and interoperability tests with hubs, OS, and other devices. The tests are functional and electrical, making sure that signal quality and interconnection is goo for operating, cold starts, warm starts, and wake from sleep or hibernation.
In other words a gauntlet of tests.
That being said, not all good products carry the SuperSpeed certified logo. Some manufacturers, however, do perform the tests to make their products better.
Alas, I have several USB 3.0 hubs that work fine for me, but they do not appear to be certified. SO, users will have to rely on recommendations on forums like this one here to help select products that "just work".
Apple cannot make a poor product work better, if the overall design of that product is defective from the start.