GNOME, by default, has a notification area which includes an applet that informs users of any system updates, changes, or events. This includes the arrival of email messages on Evolution. You can refer to this built-in feature of GNOME for any email notifications.

In GNOME version 2 you may modify the notification area and set it up to become a system tray by using external applications which might be available for installation in the software management tool of your distribution. Available options are for example Tint2. This is no longer possible in GNOME 3.