Question Looking to Replace Roku Ultra with Google Chromecast TV Streamer 4K. Need Advice.

[MasterYoda327]

I have been using a Roku Ultra for several years. It generally performs well. However, within the past year, it has automatically installed apps that I have to remove repeatedly and has recently started to automatically open certain apps such as Roku TV or Disney Plus when I turn on the player and my TV. I am considering switching from Roku to Google Chromecast TV Streamer 4K. However, I have some questions that I would like your input to help me decide. In case it helps, I use a Samsung smartphone and TV and a Google Nest Mini.

1. Has anyone else had the issues I mentioned with their Roku devices?
2. Does the Chromecast device have similar issues to the Roku in terms of automatically adding apps and/or automatically opening them upon device start?
3. Would Chromecast be the better option than Roku?
4. If you do recommend the Chromecast, should I buy the current model or are there any signs that a newer Chromecast device will be released soon that I should hold off? It is not urgent to replace the Roku.

Thanks.

 

[Paysonite]

On my Samsung TV I've seen problems with Roku in that I can switch from Roku to the Broadcast TV and still hear the Roku program. There are other issues and don't know if Roku related but need test without Roku. Sound often doesn't come on for broadcast TV and Samsung TV+ I've found from on-liners that holding the power button until SAMSUNG logo comes up temporarily fixes that until the next time. Possibly a Roku problem???