In what can be seen as the unleashing of the latest barrage in the notably intensifying e-book reader battle, Amazon has disclosed that it will begin shipping its extra-large, high-end Kindle version, the DX, on July 7. The company has already begun taking pre-orders for the device.

The newest version of the Kindle e-reader, which will boast a wide array of new features, has already received a substantial price cut - with Amazon revealing that the cost of the forthcoming e-reader will be $379, rather than the initially announced $489.

Lately, a price-slashing trend has been on the rampant in the e-book readers' arena, with Amazon having also lowered the cost of its more popular, standard Kindle version to $189; following competitor Barnes & Noble's move of reducing the cost of the Nook e-reader to $199.

Commenting on Amazon's price cut move, Carl Howe, director with Yankee Group, said: "Kindle was forced to cut prices on DX or see it die on the vine. It previously cost the same amount as the WiFi version of the iPad, and the two devices don't begin to compare."

Meanwhile, among the new features that the Kindle DX will boast include - nearly 50 percent better screen contrast; zoom capability for PDF files; a `Collections' tool facilitate the users in better arranging their reading materials; and the free 3G service to allow sharing selections from books and periodicals via social networks.