You can use Atom with an aggregator (also known as a newsreader, feed reader, or RSS/Atom reader) to receive new message alerts. Each alert will include a preview of the message and a link to Gmail.
To use Gmail with Atom, you must already have an aggregator. Within your aggregator, look for a selection titled 'Add Feed' or 'Create New Channel.' Once there, enter 'https://mail.google.com/mail/feed/atom' in the URL field, and enter your Gmail address and password in the fields provided. This will allow the aggregator to look for your new messages.
If you'd like to have a label view in your aggregator, just add the label name to the end of the feed URL. So, to view your 'work' label as a feed, it's https://mail.google.com/mail/feed/atom/work/.
Please keep in mind that Gmail messages will appear in your aggregator only if there are unread messages in your inbox.