The change was made for it to exclusively connect to a network or broadcast out an ap.
To support people who wish to run both modes at the same I am putting out a new build. In the new build there is a new command.
wifiapsta
ap "MyESP"
wait
Upon execution of this command it will turn on ap and station modes so the ap or connect commands can be used.
I am uploading this new build right now as I type.
http://esp8266basic.com
A BASIC interpreter for your ESP
Working now on Autodrop3d. A 3d printer with automatic part ejection system. https://autodrop3d.com