Google announced they have given AdWords advertisers more time to convert over from the standard text ads format to the expanded text ads format that went live in July but has been in testing since April.
Now you have until January 31, 2017 to make the switch. Google said:
To make sure you have ample time to test and iterate your expanded text ads for the holidays, we are giving advertisers more time to upgrade your creatives.You now have until January 31, 2017, to make the transition to expanded text ads (instead of the original date of October 26, 2016). This means starting on January 31, 2017, you’ll no longer be able to create or edit standard text ads — you’ll only be able to create and edit text ads using the expanded text ads format. Existing standard text ads will continue to serve alongside expanded text ads.
Here is the difference:
Forum discussion at Twitter.