Toshiba May Join IBM and Apple on New Computers : * Technology: A trade newspaper says they will develop multimedia machines and software.

U.S. computer makers IBM and Apple Computer are talking with Japan’s Toshiba Corp. about jointly developing multimedia computers, a published report said Friday.

The Nihon Keizai Shimbun, a leading business newspaper, said the companies were likely to reach agreement by the end of this month on a wide-ranging plan to develop, manufacture and sell multimedia equipment.

Multimedia computers can combine computer functions with TV images and sound.

Quoting unidentified industry sources, the report said the companies probably will focus on joint development of a multimedia computer that uses compact discs, called CD-ROM, which contain video, audio and text information.

A consumer could buy a CD-ROM travel guide, for example, that could be used to display on a computer screen moving images, sound and information about tourist destinations.

The Nihon Keizai Shimbun said Apple, based in Cupertino, Calif., and International Business Machines Corp., based in Armonk, N.Y., are interested in joining with Toshiba because of its audio-visual technology and experience in reducing the size of consumer electronics products.

It said Toshiba may also invest and participate in a new company, Kaleida, that IBM and Apple plan to establish to develop software for multimedia systems. The two U.S. firms announced last October that they would establish Kaleida as part of a range of cooperative ventures.

Officials from the three companies were not available for comment Friday, a holiday for many Japanese businesses.

IBM and Toshiba already are linked in a joint venture in Japan that manufactures flat display screens for portable computers.

In addition, U.S. industry sources said earlier this week that IBM and Time Warner Inc. are negotiating a global alliance to link IBM’s technology with Time Warner’s vast library of movies and television.

Toshiba agreed to pay $500 million for a 6.25% stake in Time Warner’s entertainment operations last year. The deal is expected to be completed by July.

Apple has separate cooperative arrangements with Japan’s Sony Corp. and Sharp.