A check of Google would seem to indicate that there has been an increase in the number of software releases that cause unforseen problems in various mobile devices. This seems to cut across multiple platforms :

1) Samsung rolls out Jelly Bean 4.3 for Galaxy S4 handsets and many reports of users not being able to establish and/or hold a WiFi connection, handsets freezing for no reason and other issues start to appear.

2) Microsoft issues a software update for the Surface Pro 2 tablet which cause the flagship product to experience rapid battery drain, units waking up from sleep mode by themselves and units running hotter than they should.

3) Apple's current iPad software can cause Safari to crash if you go to a website that uses Adobe Flash.

Are these problems a result of poor QC on the part of manufacturers, impatience on the part of the general public, some combination of both or something else

I'd also add in that the service providers want to have some tweaks for their networks, so that adds to the complexity of the handset software.

True...Very true.

My WiFi has gotten quite annoying with my Galaxy S4. The WiFi process likes to decide when my network is "slow," and then disconnects itself and pulls data from cellular, and the connection at home for me is pitiful if it works at all. Really irritating. Regretting downloading and installing the most recent update.

Hey Scott...
Disable the option that allows the phone to switch in ordet to force the S4 to remain on WiFi. I doubt Samsung will create a fix....what with Kit Kat about to be rolled out.

Use Puffin instead of Safari. Besides, Puffin supports flash which I have no idea why Safari doesn't.

-Hal